Affording Your Ankylosing Spondylitis Medications

By Madeline Vann, MPH | Medically reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

AS medications are expensive – sometimes costing more than a year's worth of rent or mortgage payments. Patient assistance programs can help make medications more affordable with discounts and budgeting tips.

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Medications for ankylosing spondylitis help calm symptoms, but they can also leave patients with a hefty bill.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) medications are expensive – sometimes more than $20,000 annually – and many Americans have trouble affording their
prescriptions.
For some, high costs force patients to stop taking medications or switch to lower-than-recommended doses. Clinical and patient assistance programs
provide much-needed financial services for those who are forced to choose between relief and other necessities.

“Most of the drug companies have programs to subsidize costs, and most offices and medical centers have somebody to assist patients,” says James T.
Rosenbaum, MD, division chief of arthritis and rheumatic diseases at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and chairman of the medical advisory
board for the Spondylitis Association of America.

How to Get Help with Drug Costs for AS

Ask questions.
You have options if finances are keeping you from the treatment you need. Talk with your employee benefits coordinator, who might be able to help you find
tax or health cost savings within your benefits package.

If you
have health insurance, check with your provider to find out whether the medication your doctor recommends is covered. If not, ask your doctor whether a
different medication might work for you.

Even with coverage, copays and deductibles can add up, putting a significant burden on your budget. If you’re having problems affording AS medications or
copays, work with your doctor to figure out the most cost-effective treatment solution. Don’t stop taking prescription medications or alter your dosing
schedule without talking to your doctor, who might be able to direct you to a professional at the clinic or hospital where you're receiving treatment to
discuss payment options.

Contact the drug manufacturers.
Many drug companies have their own patient assistance programs. They vary from frequent shopper cards that limit costs per prescription refill to limited
free prescription refills. Most biologic-drug manufacturers have toll-free numbers and websites:Infliximab (Remicade),Etanercept (Enbrel) at 888-4-ENBREL,Adalimumab (Humira) at 800-4-HUMIRA, and Golimumab (Simponi) at 877-MY-SIMPONI.

Contact patient advocacy groups.
These advocacy and information organizations can help you navigate the costs involved with certain coverage programs:

Low-Income Subsidy:
Call 800-772-1213 to get U.S. Social Security program assistance to reduce the cost of Part D prescription plans.

NeedyMeds.com:
Call 978-281-6666 for information about prescription assistance programs. The Spondylitis Association of America has developed a drug discount card
program with this group. To learn more about that card, visit the website.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance:
Call 888-477-2669 or go to the website for information about programs that can help cover prescription
costs.

Chronic Disease Fund:
This nonprofit charitable program aims to help people with chronic diseases afford their medications. Visit http://www.cdfund.org/ or call 877-968-7233.

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